Reducing emissions, creating new jobs

Labor knows that to create the jobs of the future, governments must invest in new technology.

Labor leader Bill Shorten today announced Labor’s plan for a strategic industries task-force to invest in renewable energy technology.

“A Shorten Labor government will deliver the jobs of today and create the jobs of tomorrow,” Shorten said “by committing to establishing a strategic industries task-force to ensure Australia has a plan to harness the opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

“The renewable energy and energy storage industries present an enormous economic opportunity of the next several decades.

“Australia needs a clear strategy to take advantage of this shift — both to address the challenges posed by a changing climate, and to harness the opportunities for our businesses and industry.”

Shadow environment minister Mark Butler says the task-force is a crucial aspect of Labor’s plan to build the jobs of the future.

“The strategic industries task-force will undertake in-depth engagement with emissions intensive, trade exposed industries and identify options to support their future competitiveness, to ensure Australia has a clear plan for the future,” Butler said.

“The plan will include co-ordinating existing government programs to assist in the transition, including tertiary and vocational education.”

“The task-force will engage with individual firms, peak bodies and research groups to explore the specific challenges and opportunities in each industry, and systematically review both the domestic and global markets they operate within,” he said.

This would include:

• Delivering targeted assistance to enable firms to invest in energy efficient capital equipment and low emissions technologies and invest in processes and products to reduce their carbon emissions.
• Investing in science and research to ensure Australia is in a position to create and commercialise the next wave of innovation in renewables and clean technology.
• Coordinating existing government programs to assist in the transition, including tertiary and vocational education.

Butler confirmed the funding for the project, noting the positive outcomes that come from investment in reducing emissions.

“Labor will also establish a strategic industries reserve fund with an initial funding profile of $300m over three years from 1 July 2017, to support emissions intensive industries modernise and transition to clean energy,” he said.

“This fund will support the ongoing competitiveness of our strategic industries during Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”

“This fund will support the ongoing competitiveness of our strategic industries during Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, and would be one of the mechanisms for delivering on the recommendations of the task-force.”

Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro, Dr Mike Kelly addressed the need to invest in new technology, to create jobs for all Australians.

“The strategic industries task-force will also investigate support for affected workers in emissions intensive regions,” Kelly said.

“Labor will provide targeted assistance to modernise and invest in low emissions technologies, additional research and development, new market identification and measures to improve efficiency and productivity.

“This is one part of Labor’s climate change action plan to ensure our country and economy are prepared for the future.”

“In keeping with Labor’s emphasis on innovation across government as well as in the private sector, the fund would seek to leverage new kinds of government/industry partnerships and innovative financing models.

“We will also work with local TAFEs, universities and chambers of commerce on employment and retraining programs to assist communities through Australia’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said Labor has a plan to harness climate change action to drive growth.

“This is one part of Labor’s climate change action plan to ensure our country and economy are prepared for the future,” Shorten said.

“The jobs of the future need a plan for the future — only Labor has a plan to harness climate change and drive Australia’s future economy.”

This article originally appeared in the Labor Herald.